Niagara Falls man accused of making fake $13,000 auto insurance claim

Dec. 18--A Niagara Falls man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to two felony charges stemming from a $13,000 auto insurance claim that Niagara County prosecutors say was bogus.

Jean W. Charelus, 28, of Linwood Avenue, was indicted on charges of third-degree insurance fraud and attempted third-degree grand larceny.

Assistant District Attorney Joel M. Grundy said that on Jan. 17, 2018, Charelus allegedly claimed that he suffered a leg injury when a car door closed on it, but Grundy said no such accident ever happened.

Charelus was released on his own recognizance after his appearance before County Judge Matthew J. Murphy III.

___

(c)2019 The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.)

Visit The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.) at www.buffalonews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.